While some may argue the state’s law barring public employees from striking is an extension of a union-busting ploy by then-Gov. Calvin Coolidge, there are common sense reasons the measure remains on the books.

While some may argue the state’s law barring public employees from striking is an extension of a union-busting ploy by then-Gov. Calvin Coolidge, there are common sense reasons the measure remains on the books.

Government workers, especially public safety employees, perform essential services that protect citizens’ health and well-being and were those employees allowed to walk out, chaos and threats to overall safety would take hold.

And that is exactly why the potential ambulance strike by American Medical Response workers should give cities and towns pause in contracting critical public services to private firms.

AMR, contracts with 13 Massachusetts cities and towns to deliver ambulance services, including sprawling towns such as Plymouth and Framingham and populous cities such as Brockton and Newton.

These communities rely on AMR the same way others who man their own ambulances rely on their firefighter/EMTs to be there when the frantic call for life-saving action comes in.

At issue is a 1 percent reduction in pay AMR, the largest ambulance service in the country, has offered its workers in its latest contract offer in an effort to offset an $800,000 deficit in the New England region.

The union understandably rejected the offer and authorized a strike for Monday if the final negotiation session Sunday afternoon is fruitless.

Salaries are an issue between AMR and its employees but it is one that should have been worked out a long time ago. AMR is obligated to provide a certain level of emergency medical service and they would be in breach of their contracts should they fail.

Plymouth Fire Chief James Pierson said state officials are looking into whether the private EMTs can be considered public workers, thus preventing them from striking. We believe there is a case they can be but even if they are not or they choose to ignore such a finding and go on strike, those communities who contract with AMR should terminate their deals as soon as possible and either find other providers who will not interrupt service or look into manning the ambulances themselves.

Saving money in tight fiscal times is a paramount duty of municipal officials and privatizing can often deliver savings in some areas. But providing essential services, not turning a profit, is why government exists. If AMR cannot live up to its end of the bargain, communities have to look elsewhere to ensure the safety of its citizens.